Seymour Tower is
situated two kilometres out to see in the Royal Bay of Grouville and
was built in 1782 as a part of Jersey's coastal defences against
French invasion. The history minded can scroll down to find
out more about these towers!

A great overnight stay
for those who wish to return to basics. First you will meet
your kayak instructor and Tower Guide who will help you load all
your clothing and food into the kayaks before setting off. The
kayak trip to Seymour Tower takes about an hour.

Seymour Tower
is dry and warm and contains 3 bunk beds on the first floor and
another bunk bed on the ground/kitchen/living quarters level, one of
which is used by your guide.

No en-suite I am
afraid - in fact no bathroom and only a portaloo for emergencies during
the night! You will need to bring your own food and Jersey Odyssey
can either advise you on this or arrange for the food to be
delivered to the starting point.

This is a great experience, on a
high tide the Tower is completely cut-off and if your night stay
coincides with a low tide there may be a chance of exploring the
sand bars with your guide and seeing the phosphorescence in the pools.
Trips can accommodate up to 7 people and dates are arranged to suit
as long as the Tower is available.

The
History of Seymour Tower

Due to Jersey's close
proximity to France, invasion was particularly easy and the low
lying coastal areas were very vulnerable.
In 1781 French troops led by Baron de Rullecourt landed in the
east of the island at La Rocque from where they went directly to St.
Helier, the capital of Jersey. The Battle of Jersey ensued and
although the invaders had made the then Lieutenant Governor of
Jersey surrender, Jersey troops, led by the brave Major Pierson who
died in the battle, fought off the French force. Thirty-two
granite constructed towers were ordered to be built around Jersey at
the instigation of the Governer of Jersey,General Sir Henry
Seymour Conway as defences against invaders. The idea came to him
as he realised the usefulness of such buildings having seen how
successfully a stone tower in the Bay of Martella in Corsica held
out against the British - the round towers are thus called Martello
Towers. All the other towers were round as this was considered
more effective against the enemy attack but Seymour Tower was of
square construction. Sixteen years later Britain realised how
effective a defence the towers were and started building them around
the south coast of England. When General Sir Henry Seymour
Conway died in 1795, twenty two towers were complete.